CC:Vodacom Blue Bulls 18, DHL WP 23 (FT)

The Blue Bulls are enduring their worst Currie Cup campaign in recent history and while they did well to record a bonus point victory over the EP Kings last week the end result was only a 5 point difference to a team with much less star quality than they have.

Frans Ludeke seems to be in a bit of a rut at the moment, he is trying to use the Bulls tried and tested system with personnel that don’t fit. What he will hope for this weekend is for some sort of emotional response from his players, to ignite something bordering on hatred to the blue and white hoops of the visitors.

He has gone for the experienced pack of forwards to win the physical battle but has somehow opted to select Callie Visagie over the vastly superior Bongani Mbonambi, a move that many view as borderline insanity. Jesse Kriel starts at 15 for the Bulls and with news that Jurgen Visser is out for the season will feel more confident in expressing himself should he get the chance.

Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has made only one change to his starting line up and that is Jaco Taute coming into the midfield for the injured Michael van der Spuy. Province will be out to collect the prized “ double” over their traditional rivals but Coetzee was quick to downplay any premature talk of victory let alone bonus points stating that “it doesn’t get bigger than playing the Bulls at Loftus”.

Western Province have a fairly young pack but they are brimming with confidence after laying the platform for their teams unbeaten run so far, they also have a well balanced bench that provides the ability to both shut out a game as well as change tack should the need arise.
Should the visitors gain the upper hand expect exciting number 8 Nizaam Carr to make an early exit, Coetzee was at pains to point out that “Nemo needs a break” , Siya Kolisi in some fine form himself will most likely take over that role.

And THAT is why Cheslin Kolbe has no lace in any Bok side as Jacques Du Plessis casually shrugs him off when Kolbe is the last line of defence for WP… in fact so hectic that Du Plessis nevere evn handed him off. Kolbe tried to tackle got both arms round Du nlessis and got thrown like a vrot vel…

Nice one WeePee but David were you watching the same game as Mr Chelin who posts on that other website? Here you tell us how Kolbe does not deserve to be a Bok, drops off the tackle and actually WP sound lucky to win given a supposed forward pass and the frontrow getting hammered by that slapgat S15 frontrow of the Bulls that itself got shunted around the paddocks of NZ and Aus?

Brenton Chelin writes that Kolbe’s ability from broken play gave him the edge over the Bull’s Jesse Kriel , he started the movement leading to Senatla’s try and that “he was a constant threat with ball in hand”. Sounds like 2 different teams and 2 different players. You and Brenton should discuss the game over a beer or six or is Mr Chelin just another one of the biased Kaapstad writers?

@out wide: Hehe, I also don’t see Kolbe as a future Bok, but him and Senatla has saved WP’s skins a few times this season with individual brilliance.
I enjoy watching Jacques du Plessis play lately, he is starting to make a habbit of scoring runaway tries. What a great athlete, red somewhere he was the junior world champion at discus.

Hey David, you forgot to mention how that ork Senatla ran over Jesse Kriel on his way to his try.

Kolbe and senatla have serious pace to burn. That first province try the pass did seem forward but the sheer pace of the Province backs was evident throughout the game. Bulls scrum was really good and Greyling seems to have found form. I bemoaned his inclusion, but boy did he play well. Monster on defense and with ball in hand as well as scrumming straight and with power.

@Jacques(Bunny):
Did you hear about JD Schickerling breaking his neck in the U21 game? Thank God he is not paralysed, the doctors said he was 2mm prom paralysis.
Such a good young player for baby Boks, don’t know if there is a chance he will play again.

@bryce_in_oz: @Christo (Vetgesmeerde Blits): Ye did a piece on it now, scary. See WP have ask the match officials to look into it…di not se the incident but from what I understand the first Bulls player shoulder and his head made contact then the second Bulls lock had him in a head lock to bring him to ground…real sad if this was intestinal but I am sure it was just a freak accident. Just glad he got feeling back in his legs and arms yesterday. He said he will play again…youth have no fear